You're probably hitting refresh on your phone, looking for a WNBA live score today, only to find the ticker is suspiciously quiet. It’s frustrating. I get it. We just came off a massive 2025 season where the Golden State Valkyries actually made the playoffs in their first year—a feat that honestly shouldn't have been possible—and now there’s a vacuum.
Here is the cold, hard reality: you won’t find a live WNBA score today, January 16, 2026.
The league is currently in a "dead zone." Usually, this is just the standard offseason quiet, but 2026 is different. It’s messy. The collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations have hit a wall, and as of this week, there’s an official moratorium on all free agency activities. No signings. No trades. No scores.
Why the WNBA Live Score Today Ticker is Empty
If you see a site claiming to have live 2026 WNBA scores right now, they're lying to you. Or they're showing you college scores and hoping you don't notice. We are in the middle of a labor stalemate. The Jan. 9 deadline for a new CBA passed without a deal.
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The players and the league are basically in a staring contest.
The players' union (WNBPA) is pushing for a massive revenue-sharing increase and a totally different salary structure. Can you blame them? The league's popularity exploded last year. Teams like the Indiana Fever and the Valkyries are selling out arenas. The league's latest offer included a max base salary of $1 million—a huge jump from the $249,000 we saw recently—but the union says it still "undervalues" what the players bring to the table.
Because of this, everything is on ice. Even the "Unrivaled" 3x3 league, which usually fills this winter gap, is dealing with its own drama as stars like Napheesa Collier recover from injuries.
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When Will We Actually See Real Scores?
The 2026 WNBA season is scheduled to tip off in May. That’s the target. However, if this CBA "status quo" period drags on, that start date is in serious jeopardy.
Key Dates for Your 2026 Calendar
- February 1, 2026: This is the date Breanna Stewart has floated as the "sweet spot" to start the offseason. If a deal is reached by then, free agency will hit like a freight train.
- April 2026: The WNBA Draft. The Dallas Wings hold the No. 1 overall pick.
- May 2026: Proposed regular season start.
- July 25, 2026: The All-Star Game in Chicago at the United Center.
It is going to be a historic year once the ball actually starts bouncing. We aren't just looking at the 13 teams from last year. The league is expanding. We have the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire coming into the mix. That means two expansion drafts have to happen before the season can even start.
Imagine trying to coordinate a 15-team league while the owners and players are barely speaking. It's a logistical nightmare.
The Valkyries Factor and 2026 Expectations
The Golden State Valkyries finished 2025 with a 23-21 record. That’s insane for an expansion team. They earned the No. 8 seed and proved that the Bay Area is a powerhouse for women's hoops. But look at their roster for 2026: only Carla Leite and Kate Martin are under contract. Everyone else is a free agent.
This is the "historic volume" of free agents experts are talking about. Almost every veteran in the league timed their contract to expire after 2025. They knew the new CBA would bring more money. They bet on themselves, and now they're waiting for the check to clear.
What You Should Track Instead Right Now
Since you can't get a WNBA live score today, you should be watching the "Unrivaled" 3x3 league scores if you need a basketball fix. Paige Bueckers has been tearing it up with Breeze BC, holding a 2-1 record early in their season. It’s not the full 5v5 WNBA experience, but it’s the best high-level women's pro ball available in January.
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Also, keep an eye on the college ranks. The 2026 WNBA Draft lottery already happened back in November. Dallas, Los Angeles, and Chicago are the big winners there. The talent coming out of the NCAA right now is the only reason the WNBA can even think about expanding to 15 teams so quickly.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Check the Labor Updates: Follow Annie Costabile or Alexa Philippou on social media. They are the ones breaking the news on the CBA moratorium.
- Watch the Wings: Since Dallas has the top pick, their front office moves will dictate how the rest of the draft board falls.
- Don't Buy "Ghost" Tickets: Some secondary markets list "potential" 2026 dates. Don't touch them until the league officially releases the schedule, which is currently delayed due to the lockout threat.
The 2026 season will likely be the most chaotic and high-scoring year in the history of the league. We just have to get past this January "dead zone" first.